Terry Nolan farewelled in massive Gatton funeral

TERRY Nolan was a huge figure in the Lockyer Valley, and he was given a suitably huge send off in his funeral in Gatton today.

As the strains of Slim Dusty's song Lights on the Hill emerged from the Catholic Church of St Mary's, dozens of Nolan's Transport staff lined the streets along with well over a thousand mourners.

They watched as the hearse carrying Terry slowly headed towards the cemetery followed by three gleaming Nolan's Transport prime mover.

The Nolan's Transport boss died last week aged 69, after a seven-year battle with cancer and was laid to rest today surrounded by family, friends, staff and business and industry colleagues.

Terry's son Darren Nolan thanked everyone for their kind sentiments and support during a difficult time for the family.

"Our father was a large than life character, but also a silent achiever," Darren Nolan said.

"Those that knew Terry, knew that everything he planned in his life was big and the plans for his funeral were just as big."

Darren gave special thanks to Lockyer Valley Regional Council for their help and it was Mayor Steve Jones who delivered the eulogy.

"Terry was always thinking about putting others first and that was highlighted during the 2011 flood when he supported the region enormously despite significant impact to his own business," Mayor Jones said.

"He always believed in doing business locally as much as possible."

Terry Nolan was a born and bred Gatton local.

He was married 48 years to Daphne and together they turned a small regional trucking operation into a national heavyweight.

Starting with a fleet of four Mack trucks in the 1970s, Nolan's Transport grew to 130 trucks, 228 trailers and 280 staff with their headquarters still in Gatton.

Terry Nolan is survived by his wife Daphne, three children Michelle, Darren and Adrian (Flea) and seven grandchildren.